By Taylor Sisk
Staff Writer
So many younguns! And each with his or her own personality!
That Jon and Kate Gosselin are able to individually identify—not only by physicality but personality traits—each of their 2-year-old sextuplets is perhaps the most amazing discovery in the first episode of a new series, “Jon & Kate plus 8,†produced by Carrboro-based Advanced Medical Productions for the Discovery Health Channel (Channel 35 in Carrboro and Chapel Hill). The series premieres next Tuesday, April 10, at 10 p.m. A sneak preview of that first episode made for compelling viewing.
In addition to the sextups—Alexis, Aaden, Collin, Leah, Hannah and Joel (Hannah’s the leader, Aaden’s intrepid; I forget the rest)—Jon and Kate Gosselin have 6-year-old twins, Cara and Mady. If you doubted before, you’ll never again after this viewing: fertility treatments are serious business.
The good news is that Kate and Jon not only clearly love their children very much, they seem to still like each other, which has got to help. Unlike that lady who lived in the shoe and who fed her lot “some broth without any bread and “whipped them all soundly, and put them to bed,†this brood has some real fun.
Episode one finds the family carving pumpkins for Halloween and apple picking. Mom and Dad playfully banter with one another, somehow find moments to sit on the couch, but otherwise spend their days schlepping eight kids in and out of a minivan the size of a train car, pretty much nonstop.
Advanced Medical Productions’ Shveta Berry, coordinating producer for the show, says the Discovery Health Channel’s target audience is mostly women, 18 and up. “Shows about multiples do really well for them, she says.â€Â This new series is a follow-up to two one-hour programs about the Gosselin family, also produced by Advanced Medical Productions.
I asked Berry if she thought there was any chance that Aaden might have once been Joel and vice versa—if mix-ups along the way might not be at least remotely possible. Having not been around when the six were infants, she couldn’t really comment, but did confirm they do today each “behave really differently…. Collin is quintessential boy. He loves to tumble; he takes advantage of his size.†As for Hannah, “She’s the boss, but she’s very timid about it all. She imitates Mom,†as witnessed in the scene when she calls out one of her siblings for an inadvertently soiled diaper.
“We’ve completed six [episodes],†says Berry, “and we are editing seven and eight; then we have 12 more to shoot, produce and edit.â€
As we leave the Gosselins at the conclusion of this first half hour, Dad says, “I can’t imagine a different life. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.†May he still have it so good in Episode 20.
I love the show,I think both Jon and Kate do pretty good with all of the children. I love all of the little ones especially Aaden he is my favorite. He seems to be so laid back . I have told several of my friends and family about the show. We have family that live in the area they did live in before moving . Good Luck and May God alway smile on you both and all of the children.
Let me say first, that it is amazing to me that this many of us are this interested in somebody else’s family. My partner and I will watch the reruns. It is ridiculous. :) The way that Jon and Kate relate seems to be working for them, and well. So she’s a little overbearing. Some people are. She’s not beating him when the camera’s are turned off, I’m fairly certain. They both seem well adjusted, intelligent, and balanced. The comments about spending $100.00 on each child are unbelievable. I think that, even if you shop wisely, $100.00 doesn’t go very far anymore. If you’ve ever seen an episode, you know that Kate’s anal retentive tendencies budgeted very carefully for the holiday spending. Ever heard of a Christmas account? These people work hard. They are educated. They have EIGHT happy, healthy, well-adjusted children. I know lots of people that couldn’t do a comparable job raising ONE. And, on a lighter last note, it’s pretty amusing, and a little weird that so many people are surprised that the couple doesn’t get their children “mixed-up”. Just because they came in a group, doesn’t make them a matching set, nor does it affect their individuality. While being a multiple must shape things about a person, just as anyone’s life experience shapes who they are, they are still eight individual people. Mixing up names is one thing… my grandmother went through everybody’s names before she came to the one she was looking for, but knowing your children’s personalities, which face is who, is no different, I’m sure, than any other parent knowing their children. Duh.
I enjoy the show very much, and have no trouble distinguishing the kiddos–they all look very different and definitely have their own personalities. I’m impressed that when the little ones are sent to time out, they listen and obey their parents. I don’t think Kate is overly compulsive or too hard on Jon. She needs to keep the family organized, or it would be chaos. Jon and Kate seem to have a normal relationship to me–I’d like to see those who critize her walk just one day in her shoes! Keep up the good work Jon and Kate. You are doing a great job with all the blessings God has given you!
I enjoy the show very much. I think Kate is a facinating person. She absolutely HAS to be right about EVERYTHING. she gives orders and commands and has no idea how to compromise or relax. Given the reality of her life with 8 kids this is just the type of personality needed but… I think she is too harsh with Jon. She belittles him and does her best to make everything a chore for him and taking all the fun out of life. Little Maddie has the same personality but as a child these traits are displayed as being disagreeable, whiney and self absorbed. She is modeling mommy.
I love Jon and Kate. It must be really stressful to have so many people in such a little space and I think Kate does really well. As far as the christmas comment, my friends bought their kids iPods for christmas last year, and that costs 300 per child, at thats just one present. I think the dicipline they show by saving money is awesome and they deserve to have that if they work for it. I’m pretty sure they do get money for doing the show as well, and i’ve never heard kate whine for money and say she was poor….
I think the show may be scripted as most reality shows are. It is a TV show and everyone acts like it is real. It would not be interesting if everything was just mundane. I do wonder where Jon & Kate’s extended family is though. Never a grandmother, aunt, cousins, sister or brothers or anyone else, even when Kate had surgery. Where are they???? Otherwise, it is just a show and everything may not be as it seems. and of course they are getting wealthy off the show. I have 6 kids and can relate and wish someone would pay me to go about everyday life
Kate’s family has fled her attitude.
I don’t understand what the big deal about this family is. Sure they’ve got eight kids but so what? They seem to have tons of family and friends who help them whenever they need it.
I teach two year olds. We have eight kids and two teachers, we deal with potty training, nap time, meal times, snack times, all the same things. Sure its only for 12 hours a day. I just don’t like how Kate always makes a big deal about how hard it is to take care of them. She needs to relax and just let some things go.